Electrode holder



July 17, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 fnvenior:

lfiornqy J. DION ELECTRODE HOLDER Flled Nov 6, 1926 July 17, 1-92& 1,677,712

J. DION mmcmona nonnnn 1e2s 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 V fnventor:

July 17, 1928;

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. DION ELECTRODE HOLDER Flled Nov 6, 1926 July 17, 1928.

J. DION ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Nov. 6, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4&0 rnay Patented July 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,677,712 PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB DION, OF BITTERIFELD, GERMANY, ASSIGNOB TO THE FIRM: I. G. FAB BENIN- DUSTRIE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, OF FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAIN, GERMANY.

ELECTRODE HOLDER.

Application filed November 6, 1926, Serial No. 146,726, and, in Germany December 28, 1925.

This invention relates to holders for electrodes, more especially for carbon electrodes in closed electric furnaces. The object of the invention is to provide for anelectrode holder by which the electric current may be supplied to the electrode in the proximity of its working and so that the loss of electric energy connected with the conduction of the current through a considerable length of the electrode is avoided.

For closed furnaces with hearths free at the top measures of this kind are generally not required, as the electrode penetrating the furnace vault from the outside is kept sufficiently hot, in most cases at red heat at least, along its whole length down to the hearth, by radiation and the heat of the gases filling the furnace. Thus, with carbon electrodes, the electric resistance will be considerably reduced owing to the fact that the specific electric resistance of carbon. falls with increasing temperatures.

However there are cases of employing closed furnaces in which a'similar heating of that part of the electrode which projects into the furnace is not effected, the electrode being more or less surrounded by a relatively cool charge of weak conductivity. As the electrode 'must be introduced through an opening at the to of the furnace which, in some cases, is to be tightened by a stuffingbox or the like and the diameter. of which approximates that of the electrode; and further in view of the unrestrained movement of the electrodes within the heap of the charge, a holder of the kind above described for carbide furnaces cannot be employed.

Now I have found that the problem of introducing, without difficulty, an electrode clamp holding the electrode near its lower end and of manipulating and adjusting the same during the working of the furnace can be solved according to my present invention in the following manner :--This invention consists, broadly speaking, in surrounding the whole of the structural parts for conducting the electric current to the lower part of the electrode, as far as these parts are placed inside the furnace, by a protecting jacket the dimensions of which are calculated so as to permit of releasing and pressing upon the electric conductors (clamping jaws &c.). This protecting jacket may generally be formed of a tube made of a metal adapted for the given case; in some cases tubes made of graphite or another suitable material may be employed. The jacket may be cooled if desired. The protecting means may be directed against the chemical or thermic actions of the hot gases, or against the action resulting from the contact between the electrode and the material of the charge.

levers in Figs. 7 and 8. Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 7 are vertical cross sections, on the lines 1- 1, 3-3, 55, and 7-7 of Figs. 2, 4, 6, and 8 respectively, and Figs. 2, 4, 6, and 8 are horizontal cross sections on the lines 22, 4-4, 66, and 8-8 in Figs. 1, 3, 5, and 7 respectively. Numerous other constructional forms, based,-for instance, on the principle of a hand brake have not been shown in the drawings.

Referring first to Figs. 3 and 4 a carbon electrode a is inserted into a metallic tube 1) provided at its lower end with a hollow, inwardly projecting water-cooled head a surrounding the electrode with little (play. Closely above the head 0 the electro e is held by a certain number, for instance four clamping jaws d separately adjustable by levers e' conducted upwards inside the tube b and having their fulcrums at f. The n 96 per ends of the levers e are engaged y screw-bolts g adjustably mounted in the top end of the tube 12 and accessible from without, whereby the pressure between the jaws 1 d and the electrode may be regulated at will. The top end of the tube 6 is closed-b a cover 5 preferably made to form a stu gbox (not shown). The electric current is conducted to. the jaws (l by means of cables 7:. 105

and connecting rods h which may also serve for suspending the electrode, if desired. I

The jaws d and the rods h may be made hollow to pass cooling water through them,

or separate pipes may be arranged for the nu same purpose. Pipes (as c in Figs. 1 and '7) are provided inside the tube 6 to supply adfisted independently from each other.

Figs. 1 and 2 is is a rotatable rod for raising or lowering the loose wedge Z and for forcing the same between the jaw d and the abutment m. The nut n serves as a means for turning the rod is.

In Figs. 5 and 6 the jaws d are connected with the cover 11 by rods 0, the distance between the jaws and the cover 71 being determined by tubes p. Screwbolt-s g serve forcing the wedge-shaped jaws between the wedge-shaped abutments 1- and the electrode a, and other screw-bolts s serve for releasing the 'aws.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate another modifica tion of the fastening elements. Shafts t are journaled in the cover z' with their upper,

and in brackets u withtheir lower ends. They carry lower arms 3/ bearing on the jaws d, and u per arms 10 engaged by screw-bolts mat their free ends. By screwing or unscrewing the bolts w the jaws d are pressed into the electrode or withdrawn therefrom respectively.

1. An electrode holder for closed electric furnaces comprising a plurality of clamps adapted to be fastened and released from without while the clamps are placed inside 4. An electrode holder for closed electric furnaces comprising a plurality of hollow clamps adapted to be fastened and released from without while the clamps are placed inside the furnace, means for passing a cooling medium through the said clamps, and a jacket enclosing the constructional parts of the holder, and ending in a hollow head, and pipes communicating with and adapted to pass a cooling medium through the said hollow head.

5. An electrode holder for closed electric furnaces comprising a plurality of clamps adapted to be fastened and released from without while the clamps are placed inside the furnace, and a jacket enclosing the constructional parts of the holder, the inner end of the said jacket being made hollow and means being provided for passing a cooling medium through its hollow space.

6. An electrode holder forv closed electric furnaces comprising a plurality of clamps adapted to be fastened and released from without while the clamps are placed inside the furnace, and. a jacket enclosing the conthe furnace, and a jacket enclosing the constructional parts of the holder inside the furstructional parts of the holder.

2. An electrode holder for closed electric furnaces comprising a plurality of clamps adapted to be fastened and released from nace and extending through a stufling-box in the top wall of the furnace.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JACOB DION. 

